Bubble ornamental device and method



Nov. 9, 1948. A. ABRAMSON 8 BUBBLE ORNAMENTAL DEVICE AND METHdD Filed Feb. 21, 1946 was. I. Z?

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ATTORNEY- Patented Nov. 9, 1948 BUBBLE ORNAMENTAL DEVICE AND METHCID Abraham Abramson, New York, N. Y., assignor to Raylite Electric Corp., Bronx, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application February 21, 1946, Serial No. 649,159

11 Claims.

This invention relates to the manufacture of bubble-ornament devices, and more particularly is directed to the constructions of such device and a. method of operating same.

Among the objects of the invention is to generally improve devices of the character described and the method of operation thereof which shall comprise few and easily assembled parts, which shall be economical to manufacture and adapted for quantity production so as to provide a cheap and inexpensive product, which shall be dependable and reliable in operation requiring a minimum of external heat supply, which shall be positively self-starting in bubble action, and which shall be practical and efficient to a high degree in use.

This invention is a continuation in part to the subject matter covered in applicants like copending applications filed herewith and application S. N. 598,569 (Patent No. 2,412,379) and 598,570, filed June 9, 1945 for Decorative illuminated devices and method.

Other objects accordingly consist of features of constructions and method, combinations of elements, arrangement of parts and steps in operation which will be exemplified if the constructions and method hereinafter described and of which the scope of the application will indicate in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawing in which possible illustrative embodiments of the invention are shown:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view, partly broken away to expose the interior construction, showing a bubble-ornament device constructed to embody the invention Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary front elevational View of the device shown in Fig. 1

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the fiat disc diaphragm removed from the assembly Fig. 4 is a fragmentary front elevational view showing a modified form of the invention constructed with a funnel diaphragm, and V Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the funnel dia phragm removed from the assembly.

Heretofore, ornamental bubbling devices of the character described used for various purposes required a high degree of skill in manufacture and assembly to obtain reliable predetermined desired result and reproductions. In the present invention such devices are made simple in construction and in method of operation, yet operate with positive assurance to give predetermined desired results with the unfailing reliability and dependability of performance.

To this end, as seen in the drawing there is provided an improved bubble-ornament device 10 constructed to embody the invention which is seen to include a vertically disposed transparent tube body made of glass or other translucent material designated as H having an integral closed lower or bottom end Ha, preferably made fiat, and a sealed top end llb. Said body portion II, when the device I 0 is intended to simulate a Christmas tree decoration may be made in appearance, such as outline, form, shape and size to simulate a candle.

In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the tube body I I contains a suitable readily volatilizable liquid l2, such as ether, wood alcohol or any others, well known in this art which is translucent, has a low boiling point and preferably is non-flammable for example, methylene chloride, or a mixture of methanol and carbon tetrachloride. The liquid 12 may be placed into the tube body 11 through the upper or top end llb thereof before fusing the latter for hermetically sealing said liquid I2 therein at a level so as to leave an adequate chamber or space I3 in said tube end llb. Said sealed space 13' above the liquid 12 may be evacuated to permit lowering the boiling point normally required for the liquid 12. Said space 13 constitutes a condensing and heat dissipating means for liquefaction of bubbles I5 rising in the liquid 12 to the level thereof, as shown in Fig. 1.

There is also provide a flat disc diaphragm I6 formed with a downwardly extending nozzle Ilia of relatively thin sheet material preferably fitted or seated in fixed position at the lower end of the tube body H, with a serrated end [6b of said nozzle 16a. abutting the tube bottom end Ila, and said diaphragm l6 spaced a short distance from said tube bottom end Ha so as to leave a shallow chamber or section 1! between said diaphragm I6 and the tube bottom end Ha wherein activating vapors 18 are generated as a vapor pocket in section I! as hereinafter de scribed.

When ether is used as the liquid 12, copper or brass is a desirable sheet material to use for the diaphragm 16 as it forms a protective means to eliminate possible explosive derivatives.

For supplying heat to operate device 10 any suitable source may be provided. As for example, as shown in Fig. 1, tube H is supported with the lower or bottom end ia thereof located in close proximity to lamp bulb 20a of an incandescent lamp 20. The latter, as here shown, is mounted in an electric socket 2| of a Christmas tree lighting outfit (not shown) of any well understood construction by means of a sleeve holder or connector 22 made of fiber, glass, plastic or other non-combustible material. The lower end 22a of sleeve holder 22 may fit snugly over the lower or bottom tube end Ila so that the holder 22 provides a relativelyfirm interconnecting sup port or rigid coupling. The holder 22 also serves as a conduit to guide the surrounding air heat conducting medium from glowing lamp filament 20b of the lamp bulb 20a to the .vaporslB .confined in shallow space ll within the tube'bottom end Ila, th'us serving as a direct heating means for said vapor pocket.

Heretofore, it has often been found that'a bubbling device of the character described would not readily start bubbling operation when .first applying heat and it is thereupon necessary to shake or otherwise mechanically agitate or jar the device. One feature of the invention in the :above :construct-ion is-the provision of a more positive self-starting of the bubbling operation. .To :this'end in device t asshownin Figs. 1 and 2,tthe;disc diaphragm l6 ispreferablywedged and sealedin the position shown about the periphery thereof and may be provided with an angular edge rim or flange 16b to increase the gripping reflect or sealing surface and retain the diaph-ragm'lfi insaid set-or-fixed'position with relaititon to the tube bottom end Ma. .1611 extending down from said diaphragm l'fiiand through said space IV, the nozzle abutting end We being serrated or otherwise formed .to give limited access from saidspace 1 1 into the nozzle v.Ha'a, which when saiddevice lli'is operating-coup 'f :municates the end of liquid column 12 at said diaphragm 16 with vapor pocket lain space i? therebelow to permit formation-of bubbles 115 in passing'of a portion of said vapor pocket through the nozzle Hid as hereinafter described.

In'practising the invention-assuming the sock- .et 2| is positioned on a Christmas tree (not shown) or arranged for other decorative-display :purposes and connected .in an "electric circuit power supply (not shown) for lighting the lamp 20 in the well understood manneiyheat and light radiated from the lamp filament 20b is effective ito vaporize anyliquid 12 in thetube'bottomspace The nozzle All ll and to form said vapor pocket and 2maintain said space H substantially filled with vapor 48.

The heat from lamp filament 26b beside producing said vaporization :also provides heat to cause intermittent flash.eXpuls-ionof a portion ofthe confined vapors l8 forming saidtpocket .to

expand through said nozzle 16a into the liquid l-Gate illuminate the;1iquid column l2 and-"bubvibles 1.5 to produce an attractive activated bubble lighting effect.

The lighting of bulb 20 also illuminates-the-side Walls of the transparenttube body ll tothe-top end I lb thereof and imparts an appearance sug- .gestive of a lighted candle.

The improved method embodying the invention inthe form above described will now be apparent. The column of volatile liquid l2 iwithinlthe tube body H, which, whensaid device =19 is oper- 4 ating, extends between the diaphragm l6 and the top tube space it, and is under less than atmospheric pressure because of the evacuated condition of said top space 13. Said liquid 12 has external illuminating radiant heat applied thereto, as by means of the glowing lamp filament 20b, which :is directed to maintain bottom ,space I! substantially filled with vapor and said vapor pocket i8 bubble-free. Heat from said lamp filament 2% is then being supplied to the vapor pocket l8 in said space N, that is, in an effective degree sufficient to generate pressure periodically in excess of that due to the column of liquid [2 whereby flash expulsion of a portion of the vapor pocket '18 takes place intermittently expanding said vapor portion through nozzle lfia as bubbles l 5 whichfioat up in a stream through the liquid column l2. After each of said flash ex- .pulsions the pressure of vapors IS in said pocket for an instance apparently is reduced and peramits a small amount, of liquid .l-Ztotricklewinto the bottom space ll where it is vaporized.f.or. -re-' ,plenishing said bubbleless vapor" pocket i=8. z lhe vapor pressure in-said space 11 is thus-successively built "up in repeated succession .a-nd isaid flash expulsions passing through nozzle -Hia and expanding form bubbles 1.5 --of :relative uniform size streaming up through the :fliquidu-column 12. The flowing bubbles l5 rising through liquid column lZproducedare directly illuminated by light beams emanating iromthe lamp filament 2% in passing through-said .nozzle-Himas seen from Figs. .1 and 2. The bubbles l 5 of the fiowing streamwon reaching top space [.3 afterpassing through the liquid column l2 are cooled, condense and liquif y,.-and return to the ,1iquidl2 in tube body l-I: forireplenishing same tocontinue thecycle-o-t operation above-described as long as saidillumi-natingradiant heat from lamp filament 28b is :directed to act on said vapors E8 of said pocket in bottom space H. To be more accurate, .said-. bubb1eforming action continues to take place -as--long as there exists a .heat gradient or .difierential temperature between the hotter portionof the vapor pocket 53 in space ll formingtbubbles "15. and the cooler liquid after liquefaction of bubbles in evacuated top space! 3.

Self-starting of the bubbling-.operationsof .de vice 52, when the lamp 22 is first lightedgtakes place with spawe ll filled with liquid |2.. The end 160 of the diaphragm nozzle I6a abutting tube bottom la and thesmall quantity of liquid confined within said nozzle Miav thereat provides a heating focal point for initiating -andraccelerating the generation of vapor .which icontinues rated end 261). By using the funnel diaphragm 26 instead of the disc diaphragm; as seenrfrom Figs. 2 and 4, space 2! under diaphragm 26"is made relatively smaller than space =I:l-underadiaphragm l6 thereby decreasing the heatingzrequirements in forming vapor pocket28and compared withthatin forming vaporpocket 1.8;

The modification shown .in :Fig. 4 operates the same as that described above for device It), and as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

While the diaphragms l6 and 26 are shown with serrated nozzle ends I60 and 260 respectively, it is to be understood that devices made without such serrations have been found to operate satisfactorily. When no serrations are used, the ends of each nozzle should be so seated against the tube end bottoms I la as to allow limited passage from the spaces l1 and 2! into the nozzles Mia and 26a respectively. Said serrations, however, serve as practical means to aid assembly and more positively determine said limited passage.

In the above construction a static condition, that is, failure of the bubbling operation to be self-starting without the necessity of jarring the tube H on turning on the heat which is often experienced, is largely overcome and there is provided thereby a more practical operating bubble ornamental device than those of the prior art.

It is therefore seen that there is provided improved devices and a method of operation in which the objects of the invention are achieved and which are well adapted to meet all condi tions of practical use.

As various possible embodiments may be made in the above invention for use for difierent purposes and as various changes might be made in the embodiments and method above set forth, it is understood that all the above matters here set forth, or shown in the accompanying drawing are to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Thus having described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. In a device of the character described for producing ornamental bubble effects, a column of volatile liquid under reduced atmospheric pressure, means for applying heat externally adjacent the end of said liquid column to a degree just above the normal temperature of said liquid column, a bubble-free vapor pocket of predetermined capacity generated at the heated end of the column, and diaphragm means for separating said pocket from the liquid column end including a nozzle extending into the pocket, said nozzle having a restricted end opening communicating the pocket with said liquid column wherethrough flash expulsion and expansion of portions of the vapor pocket as bubbles into the liquid column takes place.

2. A device for producing ornamental bubble eifects in a, liquid column comprising means including a fixed diaphragm to form a bubble-free vapor pocket of predetermined capacity under pressure in excess of that of said liquid column, and a nozzle extending from said diaphragm into the pocket for communicating said vapor pocket with said liquid column to release and expand for flash expulsion portions of the vapor pocket under excess pressure as bubbles through said nozzle and into the liquid column.

3. A device as defined in claim 1 in which said diaphragm means and nozzle forms a funnel shaped structure.

4. In a device of the character described producing ornamental bubble effects, a vertically disposed sealed transparent tube body, a translucent low-temperature boiling liquid column filling a mid-portion of said tube body, a thin sheet material diaphragm immovably positioned in the lower end of the tube body formed with a nozzle extending toward the bottom of said tube body to provide limited space under said diaphragm, heated vapors of said liquid column occupying space at a pressure to retain said liquid column above the diaphragm, said nozzle communicating the vapors with the liquid column to permit flash expulsion of expanding portions of said vapor as bubbles through the nozzle into the liquid column.

5. A device as defined in claim 4 in which the end of said nozzle is serrated and abuts the tube end bottom.

6. A device as defined in claim 4 in which said diaphragm is of tapered construction and with the nozzle forms a funnel.

'7. In a device of the character described producing ornamental bubble effects, a vertically disposed sealed transparent tube body a translucent low-temperature boiling liquid column partially filling said tube body, a thin sheet material diaphragm immovably positioned in the lower end of said tube body to provide a section space at the bottom thereof, heated vapors of said liquid column expanded to occupy the section space with the liquid column retained above the diaphragm, a nozzle extending from said diaphragm into said section space communicating said vapors with the liquid column therethrough flash expulsion of expanding portions of said vapors as bubbles up through said nozzle and into the liquid column, said tube body having a heat dissipating upper end space over said liquid columns to which the bubbles rising in the column pass for liquefaction, and heating means directed to the end of said nozzle in the tube body bottom for producing the bubble effects.

8. A device as defined in claim 7 having a restricted communication passage from the section space into the nozzle to form part of a focal point for initiating the generation of the vapors during the starting period for operating the device.

9. A device as defined in claim 7 having a restricted communication passage from the section space into the nozzle to form part of a focal point for initiating the generation of the vapors during the starting period for operating the device, said nozzle terminating in a serrated edge abutting the tube body bottom.

10. A device as defined in claim '7 in which said diaphragm and nozzle are funnel shaped having the funnel nozzle end positioned to limit a communicating passage from the section space into the nozzle and to serve as a focal point for initiating the generation of vapors during the starting period for operating the device.

11. A device as defined in claim '7 in which said diaphragm and nozzle are funnel shaped having the funnel nozzle end positioned to limit a com municating passage from the section space into the nozzle and to serve as a focal point for initiating the generation of vapors during the starting period for operating the device, said nozzle end being serrated and positioned to abut the tube body bottom.

ABRAHAM ABRAMSON.

REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Otis July 4, 1944 Number 

